Tuesday 24 February 2026, 4:00pm - 5:30pm
I-O Converse presents: Inside Phasecraft - how UCL research built a global quantum leader
Turning breakthrough quantum research into impact and attracting the investment to make it happen.
Secure your place to hear from Professor Tony Cubitt, Co-founder and CTO of Phasecraft, a UCL and University of Bristol spinout, who will discuss his mission to transform quantum computing’s theoretical promise into practical applications.
Join us on 24 February 2026 to learn about his journey, which has included:
- Balancing research & teaching with running a company
- The evolution of his role at Phasecraft
- Raising £50m+ in investment.
Drinks and nibbles will be served.
Funding milestone
In September 2025, Phasecraft closed a $34m Series B co‑led by Plural, Playground Global, and Novo Holdings’ Quantum Fund, bringing total funding to $50m. The commercial success followed a US expansion which accelerated R&D and industry collaborations across materials, energy networks, telecoms and life sciences.
Industry partnerships
Phasecraft partners with leading hardware providers Google Quantum AI, IBM, Quantinuum and QuEra, and works with end‑users including Johnson Matthey, Oxford PV, BT, and the UK National Energy System Operator (NESO) to deliver quantum‑enhanced solutions sooner than expected.
Speaker bio: Professor Toby Cubitt
Toby is CTO and Chief Science Officer at Phasecraft and Professor of Quantum Information at UCL. His research spans quantum information theory, mathematical physics and theoretical computer science, with publications in Nature, Science and PNAS.
He holds a PhD from the Max Planck Institute for Quantum Optics, is a former Royal Society University Research Fellow, and was awarded the Junior Whitehead Prize (2019) by the London Mathematical Society.
I-O Converse
I-O (Ideas to Opportunities) is UCLB’s programme supporting researchers to translate ideas into impact. I-O Converse spotlights founders and collaborators who’ve navigated the journey from lab to market.
Tickets are free, but limited. Reserve your place here. These sessions are open to academics and research staff/fellows only.
Who should attend:
All UCL staff and PhD students interested in bringing their research to market are warmly invited to join the conversation.
Why attend?
- Explore the decisions that drive breakthrough ventures
- Learn from researchers who have commercialised their work
- Connect with UCL’s innovation network.